The news that three police officers were caught with illicit drugs continues to expose a police corps that is in disarray, the Nationalist Party said in a statement.

The police force has been caught up in three scandals in these first few days of 2018, home affairs spokesman Beppe Fenech Adami said.

Assistant commissioner Mario Tonna was forced to resign after a domestic violence report filed by his partner. This was followed by the declaration made by the Home Affairs Minister, Michael Farrugia, who justified Tonna’s actions by saying that the officer worked long hours. The latest scandal was that three officers have been caught with illicit substances.

Fenech Adami said that that the disastrous state of the police corps is a result of decisions taken by the Prime Minister and the police commissioner. The removal of the proviso that new police officers must have a clean police record has opened up the corps to 47 officers who had been involved in criminal activities in the past.

The PN said that the good work of most police officers is being tarnished by such behaviour.

In reply, the government said that the fact that police officers were caught breaking the law by their colleagues shows that the police corps is doing its duty. The Opposition promised a new way of doing politics but it has remained negative and destructive, likely because people like Beppe Fenech Adami hold more power than their colleagues. Fenech Adami and former leader Simon Busuttil seem to think that all police officers are corrupt.

The government said it believes in the work of the police and that the force will continue to weed out the bad elements within.

In the case regarding Mario Tonna, investigations are being carried out and criminal procedures will be taken if necessary. The police officers caught with drugs have been suspended and their case has been referred to the Public Service Commission, while the case is also being investigated and could lead to legal action, the government said.